Matters of the heart

Beauty is intricately woven into the fabric of female friendships, where shared rituals form a silent language, subtly marking significant moments and deepening bonds along the way.

- TARINI SOOD

This is the group lipstick now," a close friend declared as we stood in the dimly lit bathroom of a nightclub. Like the jeans from Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (2005), except ours was a semi-matte pink liquid lipstick in the shade Committed by The Balm. Our tight-knit group of four all wore the same one and somehow, it not only looked different on each of us (thank you, colour theory) but also complemented each of our skin tones.

In his book, Four Loves (1960), CS Lewis wrote: "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one." This quote often comes to mind when I'm at my friend's house, as we primp and prep for a night out together. Standing under the revealing lights in the bathroom with every pore under microscopic scrutiny, we realise our insecurities aren't unique. Vanity takes a backseat to vulnerability-acne scars aren't hidden under layers of concealer, sparse brows remain untouched and faint moustaches are left unwaxed. Here, candid conversations about our shared struggles are exchanged with ease, reinforcing the deep bonds between us.